UoW & Sony Supporting Diversity

The University of Westminster has established a new partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) to support black and underrepresented groups in higher education. The partnership offers SIE-funded scholarships and will primarily support students on courses in Westminster’s School of Computer Science and Engineering, encouraging students to pursue careers in the entertainment, technology and gaming industry.

The scheme will see 264 students benefit from 2021 to 2025, and will extend to prospective students interested in both Undergraduate and Master’s courses as well as current students. Initiatives from September 2021 include a scholarship sponsored by PlayStation Career Pathways Program, covering the tuition fees and living expenses of 13 undergraduates, and financial support covering tuition and living costs for a further 11 postgraduate students. A Saturday Skills Club will provide support for prospective students aged between 16 and 18, a great way to encourage young people from under-represented backgrounds to pursue gaming and digital media careers and widen access. You can read more details about the scheme here.

With over 73% of students from London boroughs, 58% from BAME backgrounds and 54% the first in their family to go to university, the University of Westminster has long held a strong commitment to diversity, and there are many ways the businesses of the Quarter can benefit from this and further diversify the workplace. We’re proud of many Baker Street Quarter institutions’ and businesses’ initiatives to increase diversity in a range of fields too. Earlier this month, we wrote about Aspect Capital’s impressive partnership with Multiverse that has seen young and diverse talent integrated into the company through apprenticeships. If you’re interested in facilitating a similar scheme or improving access in your organisation, we can link you up with organisations to help. Email Kate on smartergiving@bakerstreetq.co.uk to find out more.